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Published 09-Jun-2016

Roksan unveils new blak series

Roksan Audio has uneviled the latest addition to its portfolio in the shape of the new blak series of electronics, which consists of an integrated amplifier and CD player. The blak series is being introduced as an entirely new design for Roksan – both in terms of sound performance and visual appeal. It features a robust, industrial design that manages to look modern and elegant. The British company describes the blak series as the audiophile solution for those seeking superlative performance and features within a ‘statement product’ aesthetic, but without the esoteric high-end audio price tag.

Handmade in the UK and at a specialised facility in Germany, the range is expected to grow beyond the initial CD player and integrated amplifier. All blak products will be available in a choice of three finishes – Anthracite, Charcoal and Opium – and all will be supplied with a system remote control.

The blak Integrated Amplifier (above) includes a "highly-specified" USB DAC, Bluetooth receiver and dedicated headphone amp. The amplifier section uses hand-selected audiophile components throughout its circuitry, including high-quality relays that are claimed to ensure an accurate performance regardless of the selected input. The internal design allows the amplifier to deliver a quoted 150W (into 8ohm) output.

Inputs include three RCA pairs alongside a balanced XLR pair. Vinyl fans will also be pleased to note the inclusion of a Moving-Magnet phono stage inside.

Wireless music playback is possible thanks to the built-in aptX Bluetooth module, while there's also a USB (Type-B) digital input for playback from a computer or laptop. The advanced DAC design allows for playback of audio files up to 24-bit/192kHz (PCM) or DSD128.

The headphone amplifier sits in its own dedicated section, with an independent power supply and toggle switch. By turning the headphone switch on, the blak transforms itself into a dedicated headphone amplifier – switching off the speaker outputs and dedicating all resources to driving the connected headphones.

Housed in the same chassis-type as the Integrated Amplifier, the blak CD Player (above) uses a totally isolated high-performance disc mechanism to eliminate vibration. Once extracted from the disc, the digital signal is managed by an audiophile-standard DAC chip-set for bit-perfect conversion and an advanced digital clock for optimal performance. For connecting to an external DAC there are three digital outputs available (S/PDIF, Optical or AES/EBU), or for connecting straight to an amplifier there’s the choice of unbalanced RCA or balanced XLR outputs.

Roksan describes the blak CD Player as a "true audiophile CD player, which puts audio performance first. The result is a device that delivers micro details and a depth of soundstage that defies belief. Add to that the exceptional warmth and musicality of the overall tone and you have a device that communicates directly with the listener like only the best equipment in the world can".

Roksan's blak Integrated Amplifier and blak CD Player are available to buy now for £2,750 and £2,500 respectively. Full spec details are listed below, or you can click here for more. Look out for exclusive review of the blak Integrated Amplifier in the August issue of HFC, on sale 14 July.